Description

Nidhogg is a fighting game played as a 2D side-scrolling platformer. In the single-player arcade mode the player guides a character through stages based on four environments (Castle, Wilds, Mines, and Clouds), each with a different, single opponent. The goal is to reach the far right of the level to access the area of Nidhogg, a dragon who gnaws at a root of the World Tree, from Norse mythology. The opponent attempts to do the same by progressing to the left. Each time a character is killed, it respawns a bit back on the path and that way progress through a level resembles the concept of tug of war.

The character can move around, jump and roll. Attacking comes with different stances to strike with a sword. A single hit is fatal but the amount of respawns is unlimited until one of the characters reaches the Nidhogg area. While in the air it is possible to divekick to knock down an opponent and disarm him. Swords can also be thrown and can be picked up when dropped or recovered from a previous fight. It is also possible to block or dodge incoming attacks. While unarmed attacking becomes more difficult, but it is still possible to knock down an opponent and grab another sword or strangle him without a weapon. The environment plays a role with platforms, gaps, and temporary floors.

The game can be played locally with up to two players simultaneously and games can be organized into tournaments for up to eight people. Online multiplayer is supported as well. Multiplayer games can be edited or played in different variants such as toggling spine swords, slow mode, trails, boomerang swords, a time limit, throws, swords, divekick, baby mode, low gravity, skippy mode, turbo mode, and sudden death only.